Improvement in subaqueous tunnels



J, c. TRAUTWINE.. SUB-AQUEOUS TUNNEL. No.181,498. Patented Au g.22. 1876.

JOHN o. TRAUTWINE, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT lN SUBAQUEOUS TUNNELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 181,498, dated August 22, 1 876 application filed August 4, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I,JoHN G. TRAUTWINE,

of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Making Subaqueous Tunnels, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to the economical construction of subaqueous tunnels for railroads or common roads; and my improvement consists iniconstructing the tunnel above water and upon a strong wooden platform, which shall serve as the base of the tunnel after the latter has been sunk and placed in its final position in the water.

The acccompanying drawing represents a section of my improved tunnel.

A is a substantial platform, composed of layers of beams properly framed together, and B is a tunnel proper, which, as shown in the drawing, is in the form of a hollow cylinder, but which may be varied in shape, as circumstances may suggest, the tunnel being qombined with suitable masonry, D, or other supporting appliances, and the whole being built on the platform A.

There are many instances in which a tunnel may be permitted to project above the bed of a river-as, for instance, when the river is not adapted to navigable purposes, or where the water is so deep that the projecting tunnel will not interfere with navigation.

In the present instance, the greater portion of the tunnel is represented as projecting above the bed at w of the river, is covered with earth-work, and protected by a layer, H, of

- rip-rap.

The bed of the river may be dredged for the I reception of the tunnel, and piles a may 'be driven for a foundation, when the nature of' the soil requires their use.

In some cases the tunnel with its base may project entirely above the bed of the river, and in others it may be so arranged that the upper portion of the tunnel is level, or therepensive.

By arranging the tunnel so that the top is level with the bed of the river the approaches must necessarily be shortened, and still further shortened when a portion or the whole of the tunnel projects above the bed of the river.

' The platform A may assist in floating the tunnel to its place by means of scows, pontons, or other appliances; or the platform may be used as the floor of a temporary caisson around the tunnel, thus forming a vessel in which the tunnel may be floated toits place prior to being sunk. Or the floating platform may be placed above the spot which it is finally to occupy, and the tunnel may then be built upon it in the open air, and be allowed to sink by degrees as the building goes on. The gradual sinking may be effected by lowering-screws, or by converting the platform into a caisson or box by the addition of sides and ends. In other cases the tunnel may be built 'on its permanent platform on land, and launched into itsfinal position by.

wheels, rollers, or slides. According to circumstances the tunnel may at first be constructed either in one length only, or in sections, to be placed under water separately. In the latter case the ends of such sections may betemporarily closed by bulk-heads, which may be removed after the junctions of said sections have been completed by drivers, or by the aid of coffer-dams or otherwise.

The foundation upon, which the tunnel is finally to rest must be prepared for it before the tunnel is sunk into its place, and may (according to circumstances) be either at or name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN C. TRAUTWINE.

Witnesses:

HARRY Howson', J r., HARRY SMITH. 

